Minnesota Statewide Offices

The Attorney General is the chief legal officer for the State of Minnesota. The Office represents and provides legal advice to over 100 state agencies, boards and commissions. The Office represents the state in state and federal court, as well as in administrative adjudication and rulemaking hearings. The Office handles felony criminal appeals, advises local prosecutors in the conduct of criminal trials and handles cases at the request of local prosecutors.

The Governor of Minnesota is the chief executive of the U.S. state of Minnesota, leading the state's executive branch. The governor has veto power over bills passed by the Minnesota State Legislature and can also make line-item vetoes, where specific provisions in bills can be stripped out while allowing the overall bill to be signed into law. The governor has a cabinet consisting of the leaders of various state departments. The governor appoints these department heads, who are usually called commissioners.

The Minnesota Lt. Governor serves as an extension of the governor and assists the governor in carrying out the functions of the executive branch. The Lt. Governor represents the governor and is prepared to act in the governor’s place in the event of his/her absence or disability. The governor may delegate to the Lt. Governor any powers, duties, responsibilities, or functions as prescribed by law to be performed by the governor by filing a written order with the secretary of state.

Minnesota’s secretary of state is the keeper of the great seal of the State of Minnesota and is vested with a number of responsibilities including preserving documents filed with the state, providing certain business services to the public, maintaining the recording of financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code and administering Safe at Home, an address confidentiality program assisting Minnesotans who fear for their safety such as victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

The Office of the State Auditor is a constitutional office that is charged with overseeing more than $20 billion spent annually by local governments in Minnesota. The Office of the State Auditor does this by performing audits of local government financial statements and by reviewing documents, data, reports and complaints reported to the Office. The financial information collected from local governments is analyzed and serves as the basis of statutory reports issued by the Office of the State Auditor.

The state of Minnesota is located in the Midwestern United States. Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes", the state's name comes from a Dakota word for "sky-tinted water". Those waters, together with forests, parks, and wilderness areas, offer residents and tourists a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.

Minnesota Legislative Branch

The Minnesota House of Representatives is composed of 134 members, elected to two-year terms, twice the number of members in the Minnesota Senate. Each senate district is divided in half and given the suffix A or B. The House is led by the speaker of the House, a position widely accepted as the second - most powerful in Minnesota state government, behind the governor.

The Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) is a professional, nonpartisan audit and evaluation office within the legislative branch of Minnesota state government. The office is under the direction of the Legislative Auditor, who is appointed by the Legislative Audit Commission.

The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library serves the Legislature and the citizens of Minnesota by assuring access to essential information resources which support the legislative process and promote the understanding of state government.

The Office of the Revisor of Statutes is a legislative office that provides services to members of both houses of the legislature as well as all constitutional offices and all state agencies and departments. The services of the office are nonpartisan and confidential and are described in detail in duties. The office consists of attorneys, editors, computer specialists, and support personnel. Services are provided in the following four areas.

The Minnesota Senate is the upper house in the Minnesota Legislature. There are 67 members. Each Senate district in the state includes an A and B House district. The Minnesota Constitution forbids a House district to divide a Senate district. Members are usually elected to four year terms except when districts are redrawn after the census, when they are elected to a two year term.

Provides links to rules of various state boards, departments and bureaus. Rules are usually grouped under the agency that administers them. Some agencies are assigned one chapter in Minnesota Rules; others have many chapters. The chapters appear in alphabetical order by agency or department name.

Minnesota Judicial Branch

The Minnesota State Court System consists of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals; and District (Trial) Courts. The official website of the Minnesota Judicial Branch includes many features to assist with interactions with the court system. It also features a Self-Help Center for those representing themselves in court.

The Minnesota State Law Library is the oldest continuing library in the state of Minnesota and also one of the state's oldest institutions. The library is one of state's principal legal resource centers serving the judiciary and all branches of state and local government; the legal profession; other law, public and academic libraries; and the general public.

Minnesota Executive Branch

Bridges is developed with the collaboration of Minnesota state government environmental agencies to facilitate access to the rich and diverse environmental information in electronic format in Minnesota.

The Department of Administration (Admin) provides a broad range of business management, administrative and professional services and a variety of resources to state and local government agencies and to the public.

The mission of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is to enhance Minnesotans' quality of life by ensuring the integrity of their food supply, the health of their environment, and the strength of their agricultural economy. The MDA three general areas of responsibility include: protecting the food supply; protecting Minnesota's natural resources; and cultivating Minnesota's agricultural economy.

The mission of the Department of Commerce is to ensure equitable commercial and financial transactions and reliable utility services by: regulating and licensing business activity in more than 20 industries; investigating and resolving consumer complaints; advocating the public's interest before the Public Utilities Commission; and, administering various state programs.

The commissioner of corrections, as the chief administrative officer of the department, is responsible for operation of adult and juvenile state correctional facilities; provision of probation, supervised release, and parole services; administration of the state Community Corrections Act; and provision of assistance and guidance on a statewide basis in the management of criminal justice programs and facilities.

The Minnesota Department of Education formerly Children, Families & Learning works to help communities to measurably improve the well-being of children through programs that focus on education, community services, prevention, and the preparation of young people for the world of work.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is the state’s principal economic development agency. DEED programs promote business recruitment, expansion, and retention; international trade; workforce development; and community development.

The Department of Health operates programs for disease prevention and control, health promotion, family and community health, environmental health, health care policy, and regulation of health care providers and facilities.

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) is a neutral state agency that investigates charges of illegal discrimination, ensures that businesses seeking state contracts are in compliance with equal opportunity requirements, and strives to eliminate discrimination by educating Minnesotans about their rights and responsibilities under the state Human Rights Act.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services provides Minnesotans with a variety of services intended to help people live as independently as possible. Human Services offers programs for health care, child support, food support, general assistance, nursing home care, seniors, people who are deaf, people who have developmental disabilities, foster care, child protection and adult and children's mental health services.

The mission of the Department of Labor and Industry (DFLI) is to ensure Minnesota’s work and living environments are equitable, healthy and safe. DLI's goals are geared toward reducing and minimizing the impact of workplace injuries and illnesses; helping resolve workplace complaints and disputes; ensuring compliance and awareness about workplace requirements; and assuring quality construction, operation and maintenance of structures.

DOER is now Minnesota Management & Budget (MMB). MMB was created in June of 2008 with the merger of the Minnesota Departments of Finance & Employee Relations. The department is comprised of several divisions in the area of financial services, employee relations and treasury for the state. MMB's mission is to increase state government’s capacity to manage and utilize financial, human, information and analytical resources in order to provide exceptional service and value for Minnesota’s citizens.

The mission of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is to work with citizens to conserve and manage the state's natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety is an enforcement, licensing, and services agency that develops and operates programs in the areas of law enforcement, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, fire safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration, emergency management and public safety information.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue manages the state’s revenue system. The Department administer 28 different taxes, collecting over $12 billion annually. This money funds education, local government aid, property tax relief, social service programs, highways, and other state programs and operations.

The Department of Veterans Affairs assists Minnesota's Veterans and their dependents to obtain the benefits and services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the State of Minnesota. The Department also manages the state's five Veterans Homes and the State Veterans Cemetery.

The Office of Geographic and Demographic Analysis offers a diverse variety of services and information to state and local government and to the public. It is comprised of the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office (MnGeo), Office of the State Demographer, Office of the State Archaeologist, and the Environmental Quality Board.

InforMNs, Innovations for Minnesota Schools, is a web site created by TIES for teachers and those who support technology in the classroom. InforMNs hosts MN Learning Loop and Internet2 Resources. MN Minnesota Learning Loop tools on the InforMNs website include a Teacher Resource Center where teachers can search a database of web resources aligned to Minnesota Academic Standards. Internet2 Resources include both local (Minnesota) and National projects for teachers and students that take advantage of the very high speed national network owned by the Internet2 Consortium for both video and other multimedia projects.

The Minnesota Geospatial Information Office (MnGeo) is located within the Department of Administration and directed by the State's Chief Geospatial Information Officer. MnGeo succeeds the Land Management Information Center. MnGeo provides leadership and coordination regarding GIS data and services in the State of Minnesota.

Minnesota Health Information s designed to be a clearinghouse of health care information, whether you want to compare certain providers, learn how to be a wise health care consumer, or better manage your personal health. The site—which contains links to a wide range of health-related Web sites—was created by the Governor's Health Cabinet to help all Minnesotans better understand health care options, costs and quality.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a private, non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849 to preserve and share Minnesota history. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota's past through interactive and engaging museum exhibits, extensive libraries and collections, 25 historic sites, educational programs and book publishing.

The Minnesota National Guard is under state jurisdiction and can be used by the governor to assist the state during disasters and other state emergencies. In times of war, Minnesota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen can be called into federal active service with the president of the United States as commander in chief.

The Minnesota RxConnect website includes information about cost savings strategies, mail order purchasing and a local price comparison tool. The website's goal is to help Minnesotans make informed decisions as they seek to manage their prescription medicine costs.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is the largest single provider of higher education in the state of Minnesota. The law creating the system was passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 1991 and went into effect July 1, 1995. The law merged the state's community colleges, technical colleges and state universities into one system. Instead of three separate governing boards and three chancellors, there is now one board and one chancellor for the entire system.
The system is separate from the University of Minnesota.

The state constitution and law determines the distribution of Lottery proceeds. Currently, the state General Fund receives 60 percent of proceeds. The remaining 40 percent of proceeds goes to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. In addition, the first 6.5 percent of Lottery sales (in-lieu-of-sales tax) is used for various natural resources programs and the General Fund.

The Minnesota Tax Court is a specialized, executive branch court specifically established by the Minnesota Legislature to hear only tax related cases. The Court's mission is to provide timely and equitable disposition of appeals of orders issued by the Commissioner of Revenue and local property tax valuations, classification, equalization and/or exemptions.

MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help. It is especially rich in resource information for seniors and their caregivers; people with disabilities and their caregivers; parents and families; and low income people.

Minnesota's Job Bank. MinnesotaWorks is an internet-based self-service system where member employers and job seekers can find each other. Membership is encouraged because it allows full access to all the features of the system. There is no cost for membership.

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is a cabinet-level state agency providing students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to postsecondary education. The agency also serves as the state's clearinghouse for data, research and analysis on postsecondary enrollment, financial aid, finance and trends.

The Parks and Recreation Division develops and manages a system of 66 state parks, six state recreation areas, and eight waysides that contain examples of Minnesota's most scenic lands. Their mission is to: preserve natural and cultural resources; educate visitors through interpretation; provide recreational opportunities without impairment to park resources for today's visitors and future generations.

The Perpich Center for Arts Education is a state agency. The Center's three main components are: the Arts High School (AHS), the Professional Development Institute (PDI), and the Research, Assessment and Curriculum Division(RAC). The Center strengthens the arts education community, and improves access to high quality arts experiences to students statewide.

The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is a federally required document that provides a list of transportation projects that are expected to be funded with federal transportation dollars within a four-year window. This list of projects includes state and local transportation projects funded with federal highway or federal transit funds.

Minnesota Boards and Commissions

The Board of Accountancy certifies, licenses and regulates certified public accountants (CPA's) and licensed public accountants (LPA's) and their firms in order to provide the public with qualified professional public accounting services.

Responsibilities of the Board of Animal Health include protecting the health of domestic animals of the state, regulating and inspecting many aspects of the livestock and poultry industries; and licensing of cat and dog kennels and dealers and research establishments.

The Board of Electricity is under the statutory authority of Minnesota Statutes 326B.32 to adopt the electrical code, including any amendments; adopt rules that regulate the licensure or registration of the electrical industry; and issue final interpretations of the electrical code. The Board of Electricity has 11 members that are appointed by the Governor. The board administers electrical licensing requirements statewide and inspects new electrical installations.

The mission of the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice is to protect the public's health and safety by assuring that the people who practice medicine or as an allied health professional are competent, ethical practitioners with the necessary knowledge and skills appropriate to their title and role. The Board licences physicians, and also regulates acupuncturists, athletic trainers, physical therapists, physician assistants, respiratory care practitioners and professional firms.

The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is the state soil and water conservation agency, and it administers programs that prevent sediment and nutrients from entering Minnesota's lakes, rivers, and streams; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; and protect wetlands. The 20-member board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens.

The Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) administers the following programs: mediation, representation, arbitrator referral, labor -management cooperation, labor relations training and alternative dispute resolution. The mission of BMS is to promote stable and constructive labor-management relations and the use of alternative dispute resolution and collaborative processes in areas other than labor-management.

The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board develops and administers registration, disclosure, and enforcement programs to ensure that the requirements of the Ethics in Government Act are met. Public information including Reference Guides, forms, and publications about the following programs is available from the Board’s website.

The purpose of the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board is to preserve and enhance the dignity, beauty, and architectural integrity of the Capitol, the buildings immediately adjacent to it, the Capitol grounds and the Capitol Area.

The Chicano Latino Affairs Council (CLAC), is a statewide government agency created to advise the governor and the state legislature on the issues of importance to Minnesota's Chicano Latino community. In addition, CLAC serves as a liaison between local, state and federal governments and Minnesota's Chicano Latino community. CLAC also serves as an information and referral agency to ensure that Chicano Latinos in Minnesota are connected to the appropriate government agencies and community based organizations to address their concerns, which range from immigration and education to discrimination and social welfare.

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority is an independent public agency. It fosters regional maritime and trade development and serves as an advocate for port interests. It strives to protect and increase maritime commerce through marketing, promotional and legislative initiatives and also serves as an economic development agency.

The Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB) is the lead agency for emergency medical services in Minnesota. The board licenses and regulates ambulance services, certifies and registers EMS personnel, investigates complaints, and administers a variety of EMS funding and programs.

The Gambling Control Board educates and regulates the lawful gambling industry to ensure the integrity of operations and provide for the lawful use of net profits. The five forms of lawful gambling are pull-tabs, raffles, bingo, paddlewheels, and tipboards.

The Governor's Workforce Development Council (GWDC) is Minnesota's state Workforce Investment Board. GWDC's mission is to analyze and recommend workforce develpment policies to the governor and legislature toward talent development, resource alignment and system effectiveness to ensure a globally competetive workforce for Minnesota.

The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) is a unique State of Minnesota economic development agency located in Eveleth, Minnesota. As a premier Minnesota economic development agency, IRRRB's mission is to advance regional growth by stabilizing and enhancing the economy of northeastern Minnesota's Taconite Assistance Area.

The mission of the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners (MBCE) is to protect the public through effective licensure and enforcement of the statutes and rules governing the practice of chiropractic to ensure a standard of competent and ethical practice in the profession.

Licensed attorneys in Minnesota are required to continue their education throughout their careers. The mandatory continuing legal education requirement was established by the Minnesota Supreme Court, which has the power to regulate the practice of law in Minnesota. The regulations are contained in the Rules of the Minnesota Board for Continuing Legal Education.

The Board of Nursing is a regulatory agency whose services include licensing, discipline and program approval, education relevant to the needs of the public and to the education and practice of nurses and disseminating information to nurses and the public.

The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy exists to protect the public from adulterated, misbranded, and illicit drugs, and from unethical or unprofessional conduct on the part of pharmacists or other licensees, and to provide a reasonable assurance of professional competency in the practice of pharmacy. he Board strives to fulfill its mission through a combination of regulatory activity, and technical consultation and support for pharmacy practices through the issuance of advisories on pharmacy practice issues, and through education of pharmacy practitioners.

The Board of Public Defense is a state agency that supervises the public defender system in Minnesota. By statute, the board is a part of the Judicial Branch of government, but it is not subject to the administrative control of the Supreme Court. The mission of the Board is to provide excellent criminal and juvenile legal defense services to indigent clients through an independent, responsible and efficient public defender system.

The Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA) is the gateway to services for Minnesota seniors and their families. MBA listens to senior concerns, researches for solutions, and proposes policy to address senior needs. In addition, MBA administer funds from the Older Americans Act that provide a spectrum of services to seniors, including Senior LinkAge Line®, Insurance Counseling and more.

The Minnesota Film and TV Board (MFTVB) works to build and promote the commerce and art of the moving image industry in the State of Minnesota. MFTVB is one of the only film commissions in the U.S. that functions as a public/private partnership, meaning that its state appropriation must be matched by private contributions.

The mission of the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is to provide information, education, and training to build knowledge, develop skills, and change attitudes that will lead to increased independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion (IPSII) for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Minnesota State Arts Board is a state agency that stimulates and encourages the creation, performance, and appreciation of the arts in the state. With an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature, supplemented by funding from private foundations and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Board offers grants, services, and resource publications to individual artists, arts and community organizations, and schools throughout the state.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy, i.e., electricity, natural gas and telephone. It is the commission's responsibility to ensure that vendors of these services provide safe, adequate, and reliable service at fair, reasonable rates.

The Sentencing Guidelines Commission motes uniform and proportional sentences for convicted felons and helps to ensure that sentencing decisions are not influenced by factors such as race, gender, or the exercise of constitutional rights by the defendant. The guidelines serve as a model for the criminal justice system as a whole to aspire to, as well as provide a standard to measure how well the system is working.